You know when new music drops and you find an absolute banger and you can’t stop listening to it for like two weeks straight? Today, I’m sharing my favorite, absolute bangers of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle from 2021: The Best of 2021. When I love something, I show it all the love. From the shoes I had to have in multiple colors to my favorite romantic comedies, this post covers it all. I’ve got a lot to say, so let’s jump right in!
This post includes affiliate links; when you shop using my links, I make a small commission which assists me in continuing to create content for y’all! Thanks for your support. And, as always, all opinions are 100% my own.
The Best of 2021
Best of 2021 in Fashion
Veja Sneakers
I was on a quest to find a pair of sneakers that could replace my very comfy, cloud-like Adidas Superstars. I was originally put off by the price tag of the Veja sneakers, but let me tell you! They’re worth every penny. After the ~2-3 wears to break them in, they are the perfect everyday shoe. I wore them all the time, all year round. I’d say the V-10 style is my preferred choice but the Campo style is also cute and equally comfy!
Old Navy Sky High Straight Jeans
I’ll say it: 2021 was the year of the Old Navy Sky High Straight Jeans. They’re affordable, comfy as heck, flattering, and come in so many washes and styles. Whenever I post an OOTD in these, I always get questions about where I buy my jeans. The secret’s out! I think the Old Navy sky-high straight jeans are some of the best on the market and at the best price.
Chloé Woody Tote
The Chloé Woody Tote was my splurge purchase of 2021 and there is no buyer’s remorse to be found. It’s arguably one of my favorite totes and great for elevated weekend brunch looks. It fits my iPad, a journal, my phone, seventy lip glosses, a pair of sunnies, HAND SANITIZER, and honestly, a lot more. It’s an everyday kind of bag which made it worth the price tag for me. Did I mention that my mom and I bought the same bag, at the same time? LOL.
Gold Hoops
Chunky gold hoops donned my ears more days than not in 2021. My favorites are from Ana Luisa, although I bought a set from MANGO and got another set from Francesca’s for Christmas. My gold hoop collection is on lock for sure. I genuinely think the gold hoop is a classic accessory, but the chunky style adds a splash of style to any outfit.
The White Button Down
A big lesson for me in 2021: the white button-down has more than meets the eye. Is that the saying? Anyway, everyone needs, at minimum, three different white button-down shirts: an oversized one, a fitted, crisp, perfect-for-work one, and a fashion-forward one( I loved my linen variety from H&M for summer).
Oversized Graphic Tees
Nothing screams city girl more than an oversized graphic tee. I’m hoping to find ones that are more relevant to my personality in 2022. But, the few that I acquired from H&M over the year are going to be closet mainstays for at least the next decade. Graphic tees are easy to dress up and down; they’re easy, breezy, and super affordable. If you love reading, you should check out this one from Folio Bookshop. Folio is one of my favorite online indie bookstores and if you use my code ‘GABBY’, you’ll get 10% off!
Shackets
I genuinely don’t think we’ll see shackets go anywhere for the next few years. They’re super versatile in the age of global warming, yikes. Tired of the jean jacket look? A shacket in fun colors or interesting textures is the way to go.
Elevated Dad Sandal
My favorite shoes of the summer were my Chanel dupes from Steve Madden. Dad style has been trending for the past few years and now we’re adopting the Jesus sandal in stylish designs and fun textures. The quilting and gold detail of the Chanel sandal is honestly killer. Hoping to see this style come back around in 2022.
Gothic Year Necklace
One of my unofficial goals was to wear more jewelry. I realized that once I found pieces that were actually current, and not from the summer of 2014, I would probably be more likely to wear it. My favorite necklace find of the year was definitely my old english/gothic style 1996 necklace that I found on amazon.
Green
If you follow me on IG, you may have noticed that my feed was very green all year round. Muted matcha and sage tones were my jam! Green represents growth, prosperity, and calm and that’s exactly what I wanted to exude last year. From athleisure to handbags to nail polish, I was rocking green all year.
Patterned Scarves
I’m at a turning point when it comes to hair. I’m liking the process of growing out my natural, kinky, coily hair but it’s definitely been a learning curve. I’ve been playing with twists, buns, bantu knots, and, of course the patterned scarves. Nothing like a satin hair scarf to hide a dry scalp and lack of hair creativity. Definitely one of my favorite trendy styles to date!
Best of 2021 in Beauty & Skin
Merit Clean Lash Mascara
I was a new Merit Minimalist in 2021 and honestly loved almost all of their products. They definitely nailed their mascara. It’s the only mascara I’ve tried recently that actually doesn’t clump. It feels super light and lengthens lashes with a little bit of product. It’ll definitely be my mascara of choice moving forward into the new year.
Revlon PhotoReady CANDID Concealer
It’s been my concealer of the year for at least three years now. It’s funny because I definitely bought it on a whim while I was in CVS working on a sponsored campaign. I am notorious for keeping the same beauty routine for years and years, and this newcomer just joined the ranks of forever favorite. That also means I need to buy a back up for my back up before Revlon retires it for good!
Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil
This lip treatment oil must have been crafted by God because it is immaculately good. It’s not sticky, but it is thick. It’s the best “nude” lip gloss for darker skin tones that I’ve seen. If you’re debating on trying this, just do it. You will not regret it especially if you’re already a big fan of lip gloss.
Merit Shade Slick Lip Oil
The lip oils are another absolute winner from Merit. Sangria is definitely my favorite shade for a deeper red shade. I think it looks impeccable against my darker skin tone, too, It’s not sticky, lasts decently long, and comes in a ton of cute shades. If you’re into DTC beauty brands, you’ll love shopping from MERIT.
MAC Studio Fix Powder
One thing about me, my heart sings when people compliment my face makeup. And the MAC Studio Fix Powder has been my secret weapon for years. It gives the blurred, airbrush look without the layers and layers of foundation. I love this powder x100000000.
Fresh Gel Mani
I also got into the habit (some might say bad, I’ll say expensive) of getting my nails done in 2021. I love a clean, fresh gel mani. My justification was that I take so many pictures and videos where my hands are in the shot. I’m currently taking the cheaper approach of at-home gel manis with my Manucurist green flash polishes. I’ve had a delightful experience with it so far!
Burberry Her Blossom
In truth, I had a lot of favorite scents in 2021. I rotated heavily between my Chanel Gabrielle, Dossier Woody Sandalwood, and the Burberry Her Blossom scent. But, if I was rushing out of the door I’d definitely reach for the Burberry, so she wins out this year. I also have the cutest mini, on the go rollerball that’s excellent for during the day touch ups.
Patchology Eye Gels
I’m not confident that eye patches do anything for long term under eye beautification, but for the two of three hours after a patch is applied. My under eyes are RADIANT. I love having some of the patchology gels in the fridge for a cooling effect to reduce puffiness and maximize the relaxation effect.
FAB Facial Radiance Pads
The FAB radiance pads are still my all-time favorite toning pads and I use them every morning. First Aid Beauty in general has some of my favorite products and is the only brand I use in my morning skincare routine. As they say, if it ain’t broke…
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
SPF, EVERYDAY FOLKS. In 2021, the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen was my old faithful. Although, I tried a host of other options including fan-favorite cocokind. The Unseen Sunscreen is still the only option, in my opinion, for those who aren’t trying to be confused with Casper the friendly ghost. It’s also a dope primer and base for face makeup.
Books
I rediscovered my love for reading in 2021 and I’m so excited for it to carry over in 2022. There’s just nothing like a book to transport you to new worlds. I find my creativity is boosted and my general mood improved when I’m regularly reading all kinds of books and novels. Be sure to shop your local booksellers in 2022; if you’re looking for an NYC-based online situation, be sure to check out folio bookshop(you can use my code “GABBY” to get 10% off).
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
I was reading this book for a majority of the year. I thought maybe it was slow and I just didn’t really love it. But, it was one of the books where the prose was … luscious? I just kept reading and re reading passages because the writing was just speaking to me. I think this book is going to be a long time favorite and I’ll probably try and re-read it sometime soon. It also reinforced the very strange love affair I’ve romanticized with the country of France. Send help!
Beach Read
This book was so SO good. I read it in 8 hours. It’s a trusty, reliable romance novel with a little bit of cult activity and a lot of angsty staring. I was also scared to start this in the dead of winter because I thought it was going to be a “by the pool” kind of book, but it has little to do with the actual beach so it’s 100% a year round novel.
Get A Life, Chloe Brown
Definitely a top three book I read this year. Talia Hibbert just writes in a way that connects with my brain. Her characters are funny and imperfect. Strong personalities, steamy romance, and the wildest shenanigans all make this book an absolute page turner!! And, I will be ordering the next two in the series ASAP.
Kisses & Croissants
This was the first book I received as PR and I was so incredibly happy about it. Not only did I get a fantastic book, the publishers also sent over the most delicious croissants with it!! This is a YA novel, but I genuinely really enjoyed it. It’s set during an American ballerina’s summer away in Paris and the imagery made my hungry for my own Parisian getaway. I told you, I need help! S’il vous plait!!
The Love Hypothesis
I could probably write an entire thesis on how fascinating this book is, but I already have one of those to write. As a Ph.D. student, I loved that Ali Hazelwood was able to successfully romanticize the life, woes, and worries of a graduate student. I was thoroughly entertained and horrified by the romantic plot of this book (it’s just hard for me to picture how any of it would have been allowed in real life lmao). It was refreshing(?) to see my work life presented in this way!!
Silent Patient
I LOVE a psychological thriller, but I find them to be not as accessible in the same way that you can find a good romance novel these days. The Silent Patient had me on my toes the entire time and had an ending I didn’t see coming. It was fantastic! 100% would recommend; I’m reading Alex’s second novel Maidens now and hopefully, it will be just as good!
TV & Film
Search Party
I love the absolute dumpster fire that is this hilarious comedy on HBO Max. Dori and friends are a ludicrous bunch of NYU grads who live in New York City. The show starts with a search for a missing college classmate, but it devolves into a frenzied mix of court drama meets psychological thriller. If you watch any show this year, it needs to be Search Party.
Behind Her Eyes
Netflix dropped this gem and I binged it with a vengeance. It was a terrifyingly eery drama but I couldn’t look away. It’s complicated characters gave it an edge that I wasn’t expecting. The twist at the end was !!!! I wish I could experience watching this show for the first time all over again.
Cruel Summer
I don’t typically watch cable shows anymore but Freeform really did something with Cruel Summer. The unique storytelling vehicle was the most interesting; I hadn’t seen anything like it. Each episode chronicles one day across three years. It’s a coming of age show that tells the story of a missing girl. The ending of this one was also !!!!!
The Hook Up Plan
I started watching the Hook Up plan because I was trying to learn French on Duo Lingo (I know) and it’s nice to hear the language in some capacity. This show is quirky and fun! I’d definitely recommend to anyone who likes a good romantic comedy.
PBS Masterpiece: Sanditon & Poldark
It was definitely a year for period dramas. I discovered the PBS masterpiece channel on Amazon Prime Video and really went to town on all their programming. My favorites were definitely Sanditon and Poldark both is seaside English towns. Lots of political theater, love triangles, betrayals, and men that are hot, but stupid! My favorite!
The Green Knight
I see a lot of movies year to year (AMC A-List is my best friend). I was so enthralled by The Green Knight. It’s a weird A24 film. Dev Patel did what needed to be done in my opinion! It’s definitely an “artsy” kind of odd film. But it’s visually stunning, has a star-studded cast, and was thoroughly entertaining.
Nine Days
This is without a doubt one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s a fictional tale that considers “what if you had to apply for a spot on earth?” The final spoken word segment of this movie brought actual tears to my eyes. Like, full goose bumps and everything. Just phenomenal all the way around.
The French Dispatch
A lot of folks are going to hate on this movie because it’s popular. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it’s wrong. The cast was stacked but not too frivolous. The script was quick and witty. The set design was impeccable (everyone should follow the graphic designers of the film on IG, just saying). My favorite story in the magazine was the tale of the chef and the kidnapping. It features one of my favorite lines in the whole movie, too!
Best of 2021 in Home
Albany Park Kova Sectional
I’m just really in love with my sofa. Can’t recommend it enough. Check out my full review here.
Literally, Anything Lavender
Candles! Room Spray! Essential Oils! I’m a [redacted] for all things Lavender. Specifically, the Public Goods “Lavender and Vanilla” scent is my favorite to burn on Sunday evenings. It’s calming, sweet, but light, and rather affordable. I also really like my Target Lavender and Eucalyptus room spray!
OurPlace Always Pan
The Always Pan is a dream!! It’s honestly a great pan for beginner chefs like myself. It’s truly non-stick! My parents have Le Creuset pans (the dream) and I think my always pan does an equally nice job (let me have it!!). It also comes in a stylish design and even more stylish colors. We already went over my obsession with green, so it’s a shocker to literally no one that I picked up the Always Pan in sage green!
Nespresso Vertuo Machine
My Nespresso is my everything and has saved me so much money over the year. Maybe this year, I’ll calculate total savings. But, every day I don’t get an iced dirty chai latte with oat milk is $7 saved. So, I’d imagine it’s a lot of money. If you’re a big coffee drinker looking for an easy way to make at home coffee, the Nespresso is for you!!! Also, I highly recommend buying the set (the Nespresso + the milk frother).
Charcuterie
I was a charcuterie beginner this year. But, I’ll tell you! It’s one of my favorite hosting activities. There’s nothing more powerful than making a stunning charcuterie for your guests. This will definitely be a blog post in the near future as I perfect my shopping list and ingredients. I can already tell you that Trader Joe’s is that girl when it comes to charcuterie/grazing boards.
Fresh Flowers
My motto is: BUY!YOURSELF!THE!FLOWERS! Tulips and peonies are my personal favorites and I can’t wait until spring to fill my apartment with vases of the two. Fresh flowers were definitely a budgeted splurge in 2021 and the habit is going no where in 2022!!
Best of 2021 in Tech & Tools
Honeybook
Folks are always wondering how I’m able to be a grad student, run my own design studio, and create my own content. The answer is: you’ve gotta have the right tools (also, discipline, strong boundaries, and an immunity to FOMO) but mostly the right tools! Honeybook is my CRM (client relationship management software) that keeps track of all my running projects, campaigns, and collaborations. It handles invoices, payments, contracts, scheduling, and my project workflows. I’d be very lost, and unorganized, without Honeybook. Click this link to get 40% off your first year of Honeybook!
Airpods Pro
There’s not a day that I don’t use my AirPods. My hearing may hate me later for that, but for now I’m always listening to bops and bangers. They’re perfect for bringing music to my ears during work and for editing Tik Tok videos on my phone. I can’t recommend them enough and they make great gifts for graduations and promotions!
Quickbooks Self Employed
Quickbooks is the work horse behind the financials of my side hustles. It calculates my estimated taxes, generates invoices, and helps me keep track of receipts for expense deductions. It used to be free if you filed your taxes with TurboTax, but now you can file your taxes with TurboTax for free when you pay monthly for Quickbooks. I don’t know it kind of feels like the same thing to me. Anywho, I love Quickbooks!
Google Calendar
If you asked me even two years ago if I would ever be a big Google Calendar person, I would have said nope! But, with the move to Zoom meetings, influx of client calls, and catch up calls with brands, I wouldn’t survive without integrating Google Calendar into my lifestyle. So, yes, now I’m a big fan! Don’t fret though, I still use my digital planner to keep track of everything too!
Bank Novo
Bank Novo was recommended to me by my friend Emma. I had been looking for a Business checking account to keep my business finances separate from my personal finances. Enter Bank Novo. I’ve been loving the modern, easy-to-use functionality of Bank Novo. They have a ton of perks for freelancers and small business owners to integrate functionality with other business tools including Stripe, Quickbooks, and Zapier. They also just recently introduced the virtual card. Get $40 when you open and fund a Novo bank account!
Adobe Animate CC
I think I pick up a new design skill each year and 2021 was the year of animation. Adobe Animate CC was a big part of helping me learn how to animate. It’s a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite so is included in the hefty 29.99 monthly fee that I pay. BUT, if you’re looking to expand your design services, animation is an excellent place to start. Video is blowing up right now! Animate CC also has tutorials that teach you how to use the software and create your own animated shorts.
Canva Pro
Canva Pro has been a savior for my business and for my school life. It’s way easier to create last minute graphics for a team on Canva which makes it nice for use at school. Canva Pro also allows me to deliver Canva templates to clients so that they can have customized templates for IG, blogs and websites, and a whole bunch of other social platforms. Canva Pro is definitely worth it and a bit more affordable than the Adobe CC Suite.
New York City
Rosemary’s East
Rosemary’s is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. It’s steadfast and reliable. When in doubt, go to Rosemary’s. There’s not much else to say reallly.
Bobo
Bobo is a part of the Rosemary’s family of restaurants. I’d say it’s the French aunt of the group. The design of the whole place is exquisite and the brunch menu and upstairs patio is divine. The perfect spot for a brunch date with your girlfriends!
Variety Coffee
It’s so hard to pick a favorite coffee shop, as the city has so many great ones. The UES Variety Coffee is probably my favorite in cafe experience. Bluestone Lane makes a delicious iced chai (although it is expensive!!). And, Birch has the best overall aesthetic (and latte)!
Sundays on the Upper East Side
There’s truly nothing like a Sunday evening on the Upper East Side. Whether you grab a ice cream cone in the summer or a hot chocolate in the winter, the Met Steps are always popping. I love grabbing a bagel from H&H or brunch at Maman followed by a stroll in the park down to The Mall through the Bethesda Terrace and around the Great Lawn. Need coffee? Ralph’s is a dream and Paris Baguette has the most delectable pastries!
And of course, a Sunday on the Upper East Side isn’t complete without a stop at The Met. I genuinely think it’s more beneficial for me to become a member at The Met than by pay-what-you-want donations. I’m there A LOT. It’s my favorite place to wander, unbothered and temperature regulated. If you’re bored of The Met(couldn’t be me but..) I also recommend the Cooper Hewitt!
Okay, there you have it! Those are all my 2021 favorites from fashion to beauty to home and all things NYC. What were your favorites from last year? Let me know in the comments!!
